Transportation of the boat to the water is no less important stage of fishing or water travel than the fishing itself, because it is the reliability of fasteners that determines the safety of you and other road users. Inflatable boat When assembled, it's a bulky load of sailing material that requires a special approach to laying on the roof of a car. Many owners make the mistake of thinking that it's easy enough to tie cylinders to the trunk arcs, forgetting about the risk of damage. PVC material metal elements of the structure.
Incorrect fixation can cause the center of gravity to shift, which at high speed or in a sharp maneuver can lead to the vehicle tipping over. In addition, constant friction on rough surfaces in the oncoming air flow can erase the protective layer of tissue to holes in one trip. In this article, we will discuss in detail an algorithm of actions that will allow you to reach the reservoir without incident and preserve the integrity of your property.
Before you start laying, you need to make sure that your car is technically capable of carrying the declared load. Most passenger cars have longitudinal rails or cross arcs on the roof, but they are not equipped with longitudinal rails or cross arcs. loading capacity If you plan to carry a heavy motorized boat and a transom, which in total can weigh more than 60 kg, you will need to install a reinforced expedition trunk or use specialized trailers.
Selection and preparation of the luggage system
The basis of safe transportation is a properly selected base. Standard "ears" or arcs of the factory trunk often have too small contact area with the cargo, which creates high pressure points. For PVC boats, wide aerodynamic arcs of rectangular or oval cross section are ideal, which distribute the weight more evenly. If your current trunk consists of thin round pipes, they should be upgraded with special linings made of dense rubber or polyurethane.
The best option for boats with a length of 3 to 4 meters is a step of 60-70 cm, which allows you to stack the cylinders so that they do not sag in the middle. Slacking The dangerous fact that when driving on uneven roads, the inertia of the cargo will act as a pendulum, loosening the mounts and creating a dangerous vibration of the car body. For long loads (more than 4 meters), it is recommended to install a third, additional crossbar in the center.
⚠️ Warning: Never use rusty or deformed trunk arcs to fasten the trunk. Metal fatigue under dynamic load can cause the structure to suddenly collapse at speed.
There is a common misconception that the soft sides of a boat are themselves a shock absorber. In fact, at speeds above 60 km/h, the airflow begins to walk under the bottom, creating lift. To compensate for this, many experienced boaters use special paddings - soft pads that repeat the contours of the hull. However, for inflatable boats, the method of stacking "upside down" is more often used, when the hard plywood bottom (or stringers) faces the sky and the cylinders lie on the trunk.
Protection of PVC from damage during transportation
The main enemy of inflatable boats on the road is abrasive action. Dust and fine sand that fall between the fabric of the boat and the metal elements of the trunk work like sandpaper. Even a short trip can leave on the sides scuffs that will require repairs. To prevent this, you need to create a buffer layer between the cargo and the support.
As a reliable protection, dense felt carpets or special mats made of foamed polyethylene have proven to be excellent. It is important that the material does not absorb moisture, since wet cargo is much heavier and can begin to rot or mold when stored. Some owners use old carpet products, but their villous surface can be clogged with dirt, which will then scratch. PVC fabric.
The sharp edges of the mounting elements themselves, the bolts, nuts and edges of the arcs, are particularly dangerous. Before each trip, swipe your hand over all surfaces in contact with the boat. If you find burrs or sharp corners, they should be immediately grinded or wrapped with tape. Isolation. Metal parts are not just a recommendation, but a necessity that prolongs the life of your boat.
Can I use Scotch for protection?
Using regular stationery tape is strongly discouraged. Under the influence of ultraviolet light and wind, it will quickly dry out, leaving a sticky layer that is extremely difficult to wash off PVC without damaging it with chemical solvents. Use only paper-based paint tape or special protective tape.
Another important aspect is UV protection, and although modern materials are resistant to solar radiation, a long trip under the scorching sun can cause the air inside the cylinders to expand thermally. thermal pressureTo avoid rupture of seams or deformation, it is recommended to blow about 10-15% of air from cylinders before the road, especially if you are traveling in hot weather.
Technology of laying and fastening of the boat
The process of fixing the load on the roof requires strict sequence of actions, first the boat is stacked across the car perpendicular to the movement, this allows you to distribute the weight symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the car, if the dimensions of the boat allow, the bow is better directed towards the driver for a better view, although for symmetrical inflatable boats this is not critical.
Only specialized ratchet straps or high-strength synthetic cables are used to fasten, and conventional ropes tend to stretch under load and require constant pull-ups, which is uncomfortable and unsafe on the road. Belts. They provide a rigid fixation and do not lose tension even at long distances.
☑️ Checklist for boat anchorage
There are two main ways of tying: vertical and diagonal. The vertical method involves pressing the boat to the arcs on top, which works well for light cargo. However, for boats with high sailing, a diagonal scheme is preferable, where the belts pass from the mounting points on the roof through the load to opposite points on the trunk, forming a cross, which prevents the load from moving left-right and back-to-back.
When tightening belts, it is important to observe measure. Excessive force can deform cylinders or damage valves, and too little tension will lead to a bolt. The optimal is considered tension, in which the belt does not sag, but does not crash into the fabric of the boat for more than 1-2 cm. After the first 10-15 kilometers of the journey, be sure to stop and check the tension again, as the new belt can stretch out a little.
Features of transportation of a motorized boat and equipment
A question that often arises is, can you transport a boat with the engine installed? transportation The weight of the engine puts a tremendous strain on the transom, which, when vibrating, can cause it to break or tear off the engine, and the protruding lower unit dramatically changes the aerodynamics and the center of gravity.
The engine, fuel tank and other heavy equipment must be carried in the luggage compartment of the car or in the trailer. If there is no space in the cabin, the engine can be carefully placed inside the boat, prepackaged in a soft cloth or special cover to prevent contact of metal parts with the sides. The fuel tank must be empty or securely closed and fixed in a vertical position to avoid leaks.
| Type of cargo | Recommended seat | Risks on the roof | Precautions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable boat | Roof (cross) | Punctures, blowing | Protective mat, pressure control |
| outboard motor | Salon/Trailer | The transmunal break, the fall | Just taken off, in a case. |
| Fuel tank | Salon (ventilated) | Vapour leakage | Empty or hermetically sealed |
| Oars/Sixes | Along the side / Inside | Loss of speed | Separate ligament, rigid fixation |
Oars and other long objects, such as an anchor shaft or mooring end, are best secured along the sides of the car under the main belts or removed inside the boat. If you attach them outside, make sure they do not protrude beyond the dimensions of the car by more than the permitted limits (usually no more than 1 meter at the rear and 0.4 meters from the sides without special signs).
Lubricate the belt locks with graphite lubricant before the season - this will prevent them from catching at the most inopportune moment on the shore, when you will need to quickly unload.
Traffic rules and GIMS requirements
Transportation of bulky cargo is regulated by paragraph 23 of the traffic regulations of the Russian Federation. According to the rules, the cargo must not exceed the dimensions of the vehicle in front of more than 1 meter, the rear more than 2 meters, and on the sides more than 0.4 meters from the outer edge of the position light. If your boat is longer and protrudes beyond these limits, you must mark it according to the requirements.
In daylight, when the load is more than 1 meter behind, and in the dark or in limited visibility — regardless of the size of the ledge, you need to install the identification sign “large-sized cargo” This is a square shield with alternating red and white stripes, ignoring this requirement can lead not only to a fine, but also to an emergency situation, as drivers in the rear may misjudge the distance.
⚠️ Warning: Exceeding the permissible height of a vehicle loaded with a load (usually 4 meters from the road surface) can cause you to get stuck under bridges or power lines.
GIMS also pays attention to the reliability of the mount, and if the inspector believes that the load is not secure enough and may fall, he has every right to prohibit further movement until the violations are corrected, so having quality, certified belts and no hanging ends is not only a matter of safety, but also the legal purity of your trip.
Frequent errors and safety measures on the way
One of the most common mistakes is to save on the number of anchorage points. Trying to fix a three-meter boat with one belt in the middle is doomed to failure: the ends of the boat will hang like pendulums, creating resonant fluctuations. The minimum number of belts for reliable fixation is two, and for boats longer than 3.5 meters - three.
The presence of a load on the roof significantly increases drag and shifts the center of gravity upwards, which leads to deterioration of course stability and increase the braking distance, the recommended speed with a load on the roof should not exceed 90 km / h, and in strong lateral winds - 60 km / h.
Beware of low arches, tree branches and wires. The driver gets used to the dimensions of his car, but adding a meter and a half height on the roof requires a sense of space.
The safety of the boat is 90% dependent on the quality of the belts and the correctness of their tension, not on the strength of the boat itself.
When you arrive, you don't have to pull your belts to remove them, you relax the tension gradually, controlling the position of the boat. A sudden discharge of tension can cause the boat to slide off the roof directly to the ground or, worse, to people nearby.
Do I have to lower the boat before the road?
Yes, it's recommended that you lower the pressure in the cylinders by 10 to 20 percent of the worker, and when you heat up in the sun and change the atmospheric pressure in the way, the air inside will expand, which can lead to overstrain of the seams or even rupture, you don't have to blow the boat completely if it's securely secured.
Can I attach the boat to the handles?
Absolutely not. PVC handles are only designed to be carried by hand over short distances. When loaded at speed, they are easily detached along with pieces of fabric, which will cause the load to fall, you can only fasten with special rings tied to a liner cord, or strap around the boat hull.
What to do if the belts start to whistle at speed?
Whistling occurs from the vibration of the loosely stretched belts, and you need to stop immediately in a safe place and tighten the mounts, and using the "flags" of fabric at the ends of the belts also helps reduce noise and vibration by dissecting the flow of air.
Is it dangerous to transport a boat in the rain?
Moisture itself is not a big threat to PVC, but wet boats get heavier and slippery, which increases the risk of slipping belts, and after a rain trip, the boat must be dried before packing for long-term storage to avoid mold and unpleasant odor.